Patentable/Patents/US-7662021
US-7662021

Lapping plate texture for increased control over actual lapping force

PublishedFebruary 16, 2010
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A slider lapping texture for implementation in a lapping environment. The slider lapping texture includes a lapping texture structure for utilization in a lapping process performed on a slider. The structure also includes a first surface having a base elevation. The structure further includes a second surface at an elevation higher than the base elevation. The second surface is for lapping the slider. The structure additionally includes an opening for expelling residue associated with a lapping process. The slider lapping texture is configured to generate an attractive force when the slider is motioned thereupon in a substantially unidirectional manner.

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.

1

1. A slider lapping texture for implementation in a lapping environment, said slider lapping texture comprising: a lapping texture structure for utilization in a lapping process performed on a slider; a first surface in said structure, said first surface having a base elevation; a second surface for lapping said slider, said second surface at an elevation higher than said base elevation; a pivot coupling element coupling said second surface to said first surface, said pivot coupling element allowing said second surface to pivot with respect to said first surface in response to a lapping pressure; an opening in said lapping texture structure; and wherein said slider lapping texture is configured to generate an attractive force when said slider is substantially unidirectionally motioned thereupon.

2

2. The slider lapping texture as recited in claim 1 further comprising: an abrasive characteristic, said abrasive characteristic disposed on said second surface.

3

3. The slider lapping texture as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a directional outlet for removal of residue associated with said lapping process.

4

4. The slider lapping texture as recited in claim 3 wherein directional outlet is directed in a direction opposite that of said unidirectionally motioned slider.

5

5. The slider lapping texture as recited in claim 1 wherein said opening provides a pressure effect, said pressure effect achieved during said lapping process.

6

6. The slider lapping texture as recited in claim 5 wherein said pressure effect is a negative pressure effect, said negative pressure effect attractively affecting said slider.

7

7. The lapping texture as recited in claim 1 wherein a lithographic process is utilized during fabrication of said lapping texture structure, said lithographic process an additive and/or subtractive lithographic process.

8

8. A slider lapping system comprising: a controlling mechanism for said environment; a lapping device for lapping an object and coupled to said controlling mechanism; and a slider motion inducing component for directionally motioning said slider relative to said lapping device; and a slider retaining device coupled to said slider motion inducing component for retaining said slider in said slider motion inducing component during said directionally motioning said slider relative to said lapping device; said lapping device comprising: a lapping texture structure; a first surface in said structure, said first surface having a base elevation; a second surface for lapping said slider , said second surface at an elevation higher than said base elevation, a pivot coupling element coupling said second surface to said first surface, said pivot coupling element allowing said second surface to pivot with respect to said first surface in response to a lapping pressure; an opening in said lapping texture structure; and wherein said slider lapping texture is configured to have said slider substantially unidirectionally motioned thereupon.

9

9. The lapping system as recited in claim 8 further comprising: an abrasive quality, said abrasive quality disposed on said second surface.

10

10. The lapping system as recited in claim 8 further comprising: an opening, said opening a directional outlet for removal of residue associated with said lapping process.

11

11. The lapping system as recited in claim 8 wherein said directional outlet is directed in a direction opposite that of said unidirectionally motioned slider.

12

12. The lapping system as recited in claim 8 further comprising: a pressure effect, said pressure effect achieved during said lapping process, said pressure effect a result of said second surface having said higher elevation said relative to said first surface.

13

13. The lapping system as recited in claim 12 wherein said pressure effect is a negative pressure effect.

14

14. The lapping system as recited in claim 12 wherein said pressure effect is a positive pressure effect.

15

15. The lapping system as recited in claim 8 wherein said lapping texture structure is adjustably affixed to said lapping device, said lapping device having a lapping texture element base component for retaining said lapping texture structure.

16

16. A method for a lapping process, said method comprising: providing a lapping structure, said lapping structure having an abrasive portion at an elevation higher than a base portion; providing a pivot coupling element, said pivot coupling element coupling said abrasive portion to said base portion, said pivot coupling element allowing said abrasive portion to pivot with respect to said base portion in response to a lapping pressure; providing an egress in said lapping structure; providing a pressure effect in said lapping structure, said pressure effect in conjunction with said lapping; and substantially unidirectionally moving an object, upon which said lapping process is applied, relative to said lapping structure.

17

17. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said providing an egress further comprises: configuring said lapping structure such that an opening is present in said lapping structure, said opening providing an outlet for residue associated with said lapping process.

18

18. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said providing a pressure effect further comprises; configuring said lapping structure such that a negative pressure effect is realized during said lapping process.

19

19. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said linearly moving said slider row further comprises: moving said slider row, from a static position, toward said opening of said lapping structure, said lapping structure substantially in a fixed position.

20

20. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said linearly moving said slider row further comprises: moving said slider row, from a static position, toward said opening of said lapping structure, said lapping structure in a moveably fixed position.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

April 17, 2007

Publication Date

February 16, 2010

Want to explore more patents?

Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.

Citation & reuse

Analysis on this page is generated by Patentable — an AI-powered patent intelligence platform. AI-generated summaries, explanations, and analysis may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL below. Patent abstracts and claims are USPTO public domain.

Cite as: Patentable. “Lapping plate texture for increased control over actual lapping force” (US-7662021). https://patentable.app/patents/US-7662021

© 2026 Patentable. All rights reserved.

Patentable is a research and drafting-assistant tool, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Documents we generate are drafts for review by a licensed patent attorney.